Jon Stewart criticises Americans for tweeting about Memorial Day

Jon Stewart has chastised Americans for posting about Memorial Day on social media but failing to support soldiers who are sick and dying as a result of hazardous exposure to burn pits.

“Where are the American people?” he demanded.

On Saturday afternoon, the TV presenter and veteran advocate joined the stage at the Rolling to Remember event in Washington, DC, where veterans, their families, and activists urged Congress to adopt the Honoring Our PACT Act.

Mr Stewart asked Americans to put pressure on their senators to approve a comprehensive burn pits bill, while criticising the tokenistic displays of respect for US veterans over Memorial Day weekend.

“It’s hard to be here today and not get frustrated again as I look out in the crowd and see the same thing I always see – veterans and their families and caregivers,” he said.

“But where are the American people? This is Memorial Day weekend.”

He cited the tweets and Memorial Day discounts at eateries around the country, which come at a time when veterans are struggling for the healthcare and disability benefits they require after serving their country overseas.

“Man, you’re going to read the tweets this weekend. You’re gonna look at the Facebook pages and you’re gonna think to yourself: ‘Oh does America love me. Boy they love us.’

“You’re gonna go to Applebee’s, they’re gonna give you the baby back ribs – 20 percent off not even 10 percent because of how much they support you and yet we come out here today looking for the support of the American people and what do we have behind me?” he said.

“It’s veterans organisations, it’s veterans, it’s their families.

“This country can’t be this broken!”

The Senate is set to vote on the Honoring our PACT Act – recently renamed the SFC Heath Robinson PACT Act in honour of the late Sgt First Class Heath Robinson, who died at the age of 39 from a rare cancer caused by burn pits — in less than two weeks.

If the historic measure is passed, 23 cancers, respiratory diseases, and other conditions will be presumed to be linked to a veteran’s exposure to fire pits while deployed overseas.

Mr Stewart stated that only six more senators are required to pass the bill.

He told The Independent at the Washington DC event on Saturday that he believes politicians will “do the right thing.”

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